Sourced from top graduates in Ghana, Nigeria & Kenya, 30+ of these Entrepreneurs-In-Training (EITs) are selected each year and receive comprehensive training across the spectrum of skills required to build successful tech businesses, including computer programming, software development, product management, finance, marketing, sales and leadership best practices.

After completion of the program, the EITs have the opportunity to pitch a concept. Winning teams receive a seed round from the MEST incubator to pursue their idea.

The Role:

At the Incubator Program, both in Accra and Lagos, we are looking for candidates who are:

Experienced: You have at least 2-4 years experience in an operational role at technology startups, or a consulting background. You can quantify your success in helping teams build and sell products people love.

Entrepreneurial: You have strong user acquisition instincts and can help a team market what they’ve built. You’re a born hustler who thrives in uncertain environments, with the grit to do whatever it takes to make an early stage team successful.

Articulate: You’re able to communicate clearly and convincingly with different stakeholders, including portfolio founders, MEST management, potential hires, and investors.

Candidates who have tech/investment backgrounds have an added bonus!

We are offering:

A monthly stipend of $1000.

2 round-trip economy class tickets each year to and from your home country.

Private room in large corporate housing with other staff members within walking distance to campus,

3 meals a day at our on-site, campus cafeteria.

Local clinic and global emergency health insurance coverage.

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to develop personal relationships with the large pipeline of business leaders from all over the world who visit MEST for knowledge-sharing and networking.

Former guests include executives from Uber, Spotify, Google, and senior members of governments from all over the world.

You’ll have direct access to all guests and deepen your personal and professional network while gaining international work experience with a truly global team of colleagues.

Skills and Requirements:

Agile software development and project management

Understands modern web development with regard to frameworks, design and servers.

Understand analysis of core metrics and KPIs including user engagement and retention to help companies grow.

Advise the team in other areas of business growth as needed (eg. user acquisition, recruitment) and connect them to resources that help them achieve their goals.

Being able to coach these companies on sales methods and how to do what - when?

Work together with these companies to create an overall sales pipelines for these companies and reduce inefficiencies in the sales cycle.

Are familiar with or have a very active interest in how technology entrepreneurship is evolving in Africa or other fast moving emerging markets.

Have a background in product management, digital marketing or sales

Have experience in the following spaces: consumer mobile apps, ecommerce platforms, agriculture

Here’s what you’ll be working on:

Incubator Sales Fellow: Work closely with 3 to 5 assigned portfolio companies to scope and prioritize projects, understand user needs, and translate them into effective sales and customer success methodologies.

Incubator Tech Fellow: Work hands­ on with the incubator companies which may require additional technical support at various times in their lifecycle. This may involve driving development activities and training team members on best software practices and various tech practices.

Incubator Fellow, Lead: Work closely with 3 to 5 assigned portfolio companies to scope and prioritize projects, understand user needs, and translate them into requirements. This is a hands-­on role where you’ll be expected to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. You will advise teams on other areas of business growth and work as a direct liaison between company and incubator management.

MEST MAKING WAVES & HEADLINES:

MEST entrepreneurs have developed solutions addressing local & global markets, received outside follow-on funding from global investors, and have gained admittance to top accelerator programs such as Y-Combinator, 500 Startups and TechStars.

Corporate strategic partners include the likes of SAP, Samsung, Vodafone and Facebook’s internet.org — all of which have a shared interest in bolstering the emerging tech ecosystem in Africa as means to economic growth.